Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: T014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T014
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, T014 (2023)
Highly filled polymer-mineral composites as a modern performance material
Łukasz Garbacz1*
1 Mechanical Engineering Department, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618, Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: l.garbacz@pollub.pl
Abstract
The subject of the work is modern composite materials consisting of a polymer matrix, recycled material highly filled with mineral reinforcement in the form of sand. The subject will try to solve the problem that is the growing amount of plastic waste. This is the biggest problem associated with the use of plastics. This waste is mostly difficult to manage, does not degrade in the environment and has harmful effects on human and animal health. The solution to the problem facing the industry at the time is the reuse of waste polymer plastics. The research work focused on the reuse of cooling tower sprinklers manufactured from polypropylene. The main reason for selecting such a material as a matrix was the need to recycle this type of post-industrial waste. The replacement of sprinkler panels reaches 50,000 tons per year. The waste panels have dimensions of 2400 × 300 × 3000 mm hence the problem with storing them. The composites used a filler in the form of sand in amounts ranging from 30 to 70% by weight. The main raw material, which is recycled plastic, is first crushed using a special shredder for plastics then it is sieved to get rid of unnecessary dust and dirt and then rinsed and dried. The second raw material used as a filler is sand, which is properly pre-screened and dried. The samples were produced using an experimental paddle extruder with the following processing parameters: mixing temperature of the composition: 160°C, plasticizing temperature: 250–300°C, plasticizing speed: 15 rpm. . Then the feedstock material was placed in the extruder where sand was added to it in various weight proportions and the homogenization process began. The plastic mass produced was then placed in a hydraulic press with four separate slots. Water cooling was used, the pressing time was 60 s and the pressure was 50 MPa. The next stages of work included mechanical testing such as tensile strength, bending strength or impact strength, as well as hardness testing using Brinell apparatus or testing using a scanning electron microscope SEM.
How to cite
Ł. Garbacz, 2023. Highly filled polymer-mineral composites as a modern performance material. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T014